my visit to the dentist

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Some of my friends have asked what my typical day is, now that I'm on sabbatical. I haven't really had a typical day at home yet, so I can't really answer that. We spent three weeks at the cottage, and right now I'm purging and reorganizing my home office. Going to the gym pretty much every day. Trying to spend more time outdoors. Doing more reading. Last night, Jeff and I decided to do something radical and just READ (no computers, no television, no movies). I'm reading Lord of the Rings and The Subtle Knife (by Philip Pullman).





I had a dentist's appointment yesterday. I used to hate going to the dentist. My childhood dentist was a large man with big hands and a gruff voice. He didn't use anaesthetic during fillings, and would quietly say, "shut up" if I started whimpering during treatment. He was supposedly very competent, however, and well-known in his field.





I love my current dentist; she's great! Although I still can't honestly say that I get excited about going to my dental appointments, I don't dread them anymore. Sometimes I even doze off during the treatment. They treat children as well as adults, and this is reflected in the decor...a giant toothbrush in the corner, cartoon stickers, toys in the waiting room, etc.





You have to feel sorry for dentists, in a way. Like lawyers, they have to endure a society-induced stigma even though their basic job is to help people. It must be somewhat worse for children's dentists; imagine having to treat a child who is genuinely scared of you, and knowing that you will have to cause them pain (even if it is for their own good). I don't know if I'd have the emotional stamina; I'm too much of a wimp. Good thing I'm not a dentist...my patients would all be reeling about in agony, their teeth falling out and plaque build-up so bad that they'd have to eat all their meals through a straw.


But enough about plaque.





Anyway, did I mention how much I'm looking forward to Andrea's visit? She arrives tomorrow, woohoo! :-) I'm hoping she'll be willing to do a Guest Blathering or two while she's here.




Today's Blatherpics:

These photos were taken yesterday when I went for my dental appointment. The staff were highly amused. :-)

Feel free to suggest a daily poll question.


Today's Poll:

Do you floss regularly?